Author Topic: Question about original dealer license plate frames  (Read 13395 times)

1967RS/SS

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Question about original dealer license plate frames
« on: July 18, 2014, 05:15:48 PM »
After searching ebay for dealer license plate frames, I noticed some frames have the location of the dealer located on top of the frame and the dealer name on the bottom.  Others frames of the same dealership are reversed with the dealer name on top and the city on the bottom.  

Is there any significance to these variations?  Should I be looking for two similar frames for my car (both with name on top/ location on bottom or vice versa) or could the dealer have put one of each on the car and called good?  Thanks
1967 RS/SS L-48
Van Nuys 01C
Joseph

Petes L48

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Re: Question about original dealer license plate frames
« Reply #1 on: July 18, 2014, 06:31:59 PM »
Probably just whenever the bought a new batch or changed vendors.  I seem to recall they usually just put them on the rear plate, so the guy behind you at the traffic light would see who sold it.  If you use two, seems you would want them to match.

Mike S

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Re: Question about original dealer license plate frames
« Reply #2 on: July 18, 2014, 06:51:52 PM »
 The location of the dealers name, if it has a larger section extending past the frame thickness border, may be state related and plate year. Here in NY if a license frame overlaps the New York name or the sequence number even by a little then you can get a ticket.

Mike
67 04B LOS SS/RS L35 Hardtop - Original w/UOIT
67 05B NOR SS/RS L35 Convertible - Restored

lakeholme

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Re: Question about original dealer license plate frames
« Reply #3 on: July 18, 2014, 07:00:57 PM »
The location of the dealers name, if it has a larger section extending past the frame thickness border, may be state related and plate year. Here in NY if a license frame overlaps the New York name or the sequence number even by a little then you can get a ticket.

Mike
Same in NC now but not back then. Match them up, but I'd be surprised if there were plate standards beyond the dealership
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vtfb68

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Re: Question about original dealer license plate frames
« Reply #4 on: July 18, 2014, 07:56:40 PM »
 On some cars you will find one of each, one for the front and the other for the rear. it depended on the amount of  plate space and as mike stated, some times covered too much of the plate.
 BTW, phone numbers, 800 numbers, mutli brands, . coms, ect did not come till much later. I have never seen a 60's or 70's frame with a casting date.
   I still have not found ANYBODY that remembers TED GREEN Chevrolet in Torrance CA., where my car came from. I live about 5 miles from that dealership (now Martin Chevrolet and Geo)
    And have asked many many long time local cruisers to no avail.  I was only 6  in 1968. Just makes it sweeter when I do find some plate frames.
              Good luck,
                 Victor
68 05C LA RS/SS U2 712 L34 M21 BR
68 08E LA RS Y2 749 L30 M35
67 11B LA  RS/SS M-1 797-Z L48 M21  Convertible

ZLP955

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Re: Question about original dealer license plate frames
« Reply #5 on: July 19, 2014, 03:37:39 AM »
From my observations of cars still wearing original-issue plates, dealers in states that required a front and a rear plate had 2 frame designs. The front plate frame had the dealer name at the top, and the city/location at the bottom. The rear plate had it reversed, city above and dealer name below.
Of course, this doesn't mean that all dealers did it the same way, but that's what I've noticed so far.
Tim in Australia.
1969 04A Van Nuys Z/28. Cortez Silver, Dark Blue interior, VE3, Z21, Z23, D55/U17, D80, flat hood.
Sold at Clippinger Chevrolet in Covina, CA.
AHRA Formula Stock at Lions Dragstrip, NHRA E/MP at Pomona Raceway

ZLP955

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Re: Question about original dealer license plate frames
« Reply #6 on: July 19, 2014, 03:47:55 AM »
Victor, you might give this guy a call, he doesn't have any current listings for your dealer, but something may come up:
http://www.calicenseplates.com/chevrolet-frames-listing.html
Tim in Australia.
1969 04A Van Nuys Z/28. Cortez Silver, Dark Blue interior, VE3, Z21, Z23, D55/U17, D80, flat hood.
Sold at Clippinger Chevrolet in Covina, CA.
AHRA Formula Stock at Lions Dragstrip, NHRA E/MP at Pomona Raceway

hgger69

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Re: Question about original dealer license plate frames
« Reply #7 on: July 19, 2014, 06:30:26 AM »
Victor, you might give this guy a call, he doesn't have any current listings for your dealer, but something may come up:
http://www.calicenseplates.com/chevrolet-frames-listing.html
Wow, that's cool! Do you know if there is a similar one for Illinois plates out there!
I haven't seen a thing regarding my dealer, Svanda-Meyer, Sparta Illinois.......
Regards,
Hakan from Sweden
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Vince

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Re: Question about original dealer license plate frames
« Reply #8 on: July 19, 2014, 09:37:36 PM »
Based on photos the original owner sent me of my '69 Z, both the front and rear license plate frames had the dealer name and Chevrolet inside the bowtie logo on the top and location of the dealership on the bottom.  It was originally sold from Gledhill Chevrolet in Wilmington, CA.     

camaro jock

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Re: Question about original dealer license plate frames
« Reply #9 on: July 19, 2014, 09:59:32 PM »
Anyone have anything on Briggs Chevrolet Malvern Iowa it has been closed 20 years and is a fire and rescue center? Just throwing a rock in the air. Thanks Darrell

MO

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Re: Question about original dealer license plate frames
« Reply #10 on: July 20, 2014, 04:37:10 PM »
From my observations of cars still wearing original-issue plates, dealers in states that required a front and a rear plate had 2 frame designs. The front plate frame had the dealer name at the top, and the city/location at the bottom. The rear plate had it reversed, city above and dealer name below.
Of course, this doesn't mean that all dealers did it the same way, but that's what I've noticed so far.

Interesting observation.

I have always thought it depended on where the name fits. A long name may not fit at the top, but would at the bottom.

169INDY

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Re: Question about original dealer license plate frames
« Reply #11 on: July 20, 2014, 06:14:04 PM »
Variations account of bolt patterns. Look at the rear vs front, top bolts vs bottom bolt patterns.

I found a place where you can purchase BLANKS then have a local sign shop make up sticker-decals matching you fav dealer. We would walk the car  shows looking for a popular dealer (Take pictures for accurate repop'g) - ALAN GREEN chev in Burien- Everyone wanted a MINT! for orig in the PNW, so we repoped them ourselves for our personal consumption, Logo concerns ya know.

REPOP for sure, but hey, DIY!
Jim
68 SS/RS L35 Th-400 LOS
69 Pace Car L48 Th-350 LOS
68 Z28 M21 LOS

1967RS/SS

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Re: Question about original dealer license plate frames
« Reply #12 on: July 20, 2014, 08:48:53 PM »
Wow, great info fellas! Any idea on specifics for what Economy Chevrolet in Alhambra Ca would have used?  One or two frames? Name or dealer on top or both?
1967 RS/SS L-48
Van Nuys 01C
Joseph

MO

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Re: Question about original dealer license plate frames
« Reply #13 on: July 21, 2014, 02:59:05 AM »
Variations account of bolt patterns. Look at the rear vs front, top bolts vs bottom bolt patterns.

Here are good examples.


MO

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Re: Question about original dealer license plate frames
« Reply #14 on: July 21, 2014, 03:00:48 AM »
2nd

 

anything